Association of Rhesus Blood Group (RhD) and Toxoplasmosis in Women with Miscarriage in Erbil

Background and objective: Toxoplasmosis has worldwide distribution and the incidence of the disease varies around the world. Human blood is categorized within two main systems: ABO and Rhesus factor blood group systems. The Rhesus factor protein which is the Rhesus factor gene product and a major component in the Rh blood group system carries the strongest blood group immunogen, This study aimed to estimate the sero-prevalence of toxoplasmosis and to investigate the distribution of ABO and Rhesus factor blood groups among women with toxoplasma infection. Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out in Erbil from September 2017 to April 2018, in which 200 women with history of abortion were enrolled. Blood samples were collected and tested for anti-toxoplasma IgM antibody using direct agglutination and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay techniques. Results: the percentages of anti-toxoplasma IgM was 33.5% .and 65 (97%) of the seropositive women were RhD negative. Significant relationship between RhD blood group and Toxoplasma seropositive was observed while no significant relationship was found between toxoplasmosis and each ABO phenotype and demographic characteristics. Comparably, high sero-prevalence rate of anti-toxoplasma antibody was found among age group 21-40 years old (73.1%), however, it was statistically non- significant. Conclusion: Anti toxoplasma IgM antibodies was relatively high among women with history of abortion in Erbil and Rhesus factor positive was significant

Association between Vitamin D Deficiency and Bacterial Vaginosis among First Trimester Pregnant Women in Erbil Maternity Hospital

Background: Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a polymicrobial clinical syndrome characterized by changes in vaginal flora, with replacement of normally abundant Lactobacillus species by high concentrations of anaerobic bacteria among reproductive age women. Studies have different aspects on the effect of vitamin D on BV. Objective: To find out the prevalence of BV, vitamin D deficiency in early pregnancy and to examine association between BV and vitamin D deficiency. Patients and Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out during July 2017 till October 2018 among 100 pregnant women at first trimester pregnancy, aged 18-35 years old at Erbil Maternity Hospital. Results: At enrollment the prevalence of BV was (53%), about (73%) of our clients suffering from homogenous white greyish vaginal discharge, (57%) were with elevated vaginal PH and fishy odor, clue cells was found among (53%) of them. Vitamin D deficiency, defined as 25 (OH) D concentration below 20 ng/ml, was found in (67%) of women. Insufficiency of the vitamin D 25(OH) D concentration between 20-30ng/ml was present in (29%) of the women. Sufficient level of 25 (OH) over (30 ng/ml) was found in (4%). The incidence of Vitamin D pattern among women with BV were (49.3%), (62.1%) and (50%) respectively for each vitamin D deficiency, Insufficiency and sufficient vitamin D.  No significant association was found between Vitamin D deficiency and BV. Conclusion: High occurrence of BV and vitamin D deficiency were found. Vitamin D was not associated significantly with increased BV incidence. We suggested that pregnant women should check and manage their level of vitamin D and BV additionally they must not depend only on vitamin D for curing BV